OCD Specialist

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is a disorder characterized by repetitive thoughts and feelings (obsessions) that drive you to behave in specific ways (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions might not disrupt day-to-day life much for you, but not performing your compulsions can cause great distress.

If you have OCD and stop to think about your obsessive thoughts, you might realize that, on the surface, they seem unreasonable. That does not make them any less present for you, and it can be very hard to stop them without professional treatment. 

The team at Labyrinth Psychiatry Group uses the latest testing methods to see if you meet the criteria for an OCD diagnosis. Then, they work with you to improve day-to-day functioning with an individualized OCD treatment plan. 

What are the symptoms of OCD?

The specific symptoms of OCD vary widely from person to person, as your obsessions and compulsions may be entirely different from someone else who has the same diagnosis. 

Common obsessions with OCD include:

• Concern with symmetry
• Concern with precision
• Disturbing mental images
• Fear of dirt or contamination
• Intrusive words or numbers
• Fear of things getting lost or stolen

Your compulsions are closely tied to your specific obsessions when you have OCD. For example, if your primary obsession is a fear of dirt or contamination, you might wash your hands repeatedly or constantly clean your house. Similarly, if you’re constantly thinking of a particular number, you might repeatedly count to it. 

The severity of OCD symptoms varies, and the symptoms usually appear gradually before they ever get severe. If you’re stressed over something in your life, you might notice that your OCD symptoms ramp up. 

How is OCD treated?

OCD treatment involves extensive evaluations to get a full understanding of the severity and details of your OCD. Then, the team can create your needs-based treatment plan involving regular telehealth and in-person visits at the Labyrinth Psychiatry Group office. 

The team recommends treatments and therapies based on what they determine might help you manage your condition and control your symptoms. Effective OCD management might involve:

Medications

Medications, typically antidepressants, are a valuable part of an OCD treatment plan. Labyrinth Psychiatry Group provides medication management services and can help you try out psychiatric medications until you find one that works well for you. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, usually cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the case of OCD, can help you address your obsessions and the compulsive behaviors they cause. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a component of CBT that enables you to resist your urges. 

Neuromodulation services

Neuromodulation services are available for OCD management at Labyrinth Psychiatry Group, especially transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in your brain, which helps improve symptoms for some people with OCD. 

To learn more about OCD evaluation and treatment at Labyrinth Psychiatry Group, call the office or book online today.